Looking for good buffets on DDP.

[ranthony]

I have done some math and am on the fence about the DDP because we will have a 5yo and twin 2yo when we go. I cannot forsee sitting at a TS restaurant being much of a possibilty unless it is a buffet...kids just aren't too patient at these ages (not to mention they twins eat for free at buffets).

Any suggestions on maximizing our value for TS at buffets?

 

[HannaBelle]

I agree that buffets are the way to go with young children and there are character buffets at all of the parks...breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. They really are a lot of fun, UNLESS your twins are afraid of the characters and then it could be a disaster!

WDW TS meals tend to take almost 2 hours...that it too long for most adults!

My only reservation for buffets is that it makes it harder carry the food back to the table for the little ones. It might be easier to get a plate with a variety of items and then serve the kids "family style" at the table. (That is what my SIL does with her DS(4) and DS(2)...seems to work great for her...

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

We don't really go to buffets b/c my dad doesnt really like them and my mom gets really into the role of being on vacation and not having to cook or stand to get her food..ya i dunno? but in 2005 my uncle suggested that our 2 families (9 total) go to hollywood and vine at MGM and raved about how good the food was and how there are characters and when we got there, after waiting over an hr to be seated with our ADR (by that point my dad was so fed up he didnt even want to eat) we quickly found there were no characters and the food was horrible, so horrible in fact that my mom dad brother and i ate very little and ended up eating at WCC at WL later that night! I have heard from several ppl that have gone in the past say it was very good and even my uncles family admitted it was horrrible and they too ended up eating a CS at ASMo, so I wouldn't suggest going there unless you are dying to find a buffet. I would suggest pizza planet for a good CS and Sci Fi or Prime Time for TS at MGM.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I would also research the restaurants, perhaps your children will be okay if you go to a TS that has characters like Liberty Tree which is basically an all you can eat buffet but they bring it to you so you dont have to get up and down and at other TS's make sure the theme is good and the CMs interact like at Prime Time, Sci Fi, WCC, Chef Mickeys and Coral Reef. I know of a family of 4-mom dad and 2 kids ages 6 and 4 and the parents are going to get the DDP and they will pay for the kids OOP b/c they would never eat the amount of food that it would cost on the DDP, so you might want to consider that too!

 

[Amyrlin]

I would avoid H&V unless you want to go at breakfast or lunch for the characters.

The buffets we like include Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace, for an all you can eat that the children may like it might also be worth looking at WCC with the all you can eat skillet, as the twins will still be eating free. The antics keep the children happy.

 

[The Sweetness]

W the twins, my vote goes to family style dining where available
There's LTT in the MK for dinner, GG in The Land at Epcot for lunch or dinner, and 'Ohana in the Poly for breakfast or dinner. WCC also has the skillet option for breakfast or dinner The food will be hot, fresh, and plentifull, all you can eat, and the twins are still freebies

 

[ranthony]

It looks like we'll be avoiding H&V because we had a so-so experience there before the twins came along and it doesn't sound any better now.

Is WCC the Whispering Canyon at WL?

Thanks for the "family style" tip. It sure does make all-you-can eat with 3 little ones easier if you don't have to leave an adult stationed at the table while the other "grazes".

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

It looks like we'll be avoiding H&V because we had a so-so experience there before the twins came along and it doesn't sound any better now.

Is WCC the Whispering Canyon at WL?

Thanks for the "family style" tip. It sure does make all-you-can eat with 3 little ones easier if you don't have to leave an adult stationed at the table while the other "grazes".

Ya WCC is at WL. We have gone for the skillet for both breakfast and dinner and we tend to do the breakfast one more, esp. on the day we leave to go home or a day where we dont go to a park and have the extra time to spend there and enjoy since that is where we stay. But the dinner skillet is just as good, it basically depends on what type of food you like better, my dad and mom enjoy breakfast there so that is why we do the breakfast. If you want to look at menus you can go to www.allears.net, it is very helpful, we used it do plan out mock menus since we are going on the DDP and wanted to know how much money we would spend where we went. Good luck with your choices!! WCC will def. keep your kids busy and entertained!

 

[bicker]

Boma is the best buffet we've been to at WDW recently. Crystal Palace is also very good. Cape May Cafe is both good (American side) and bad (seafood/shellfish side). Chef Mickey's is pretty bad, though it could be the atmosphere making the food taste bad.

 

[becka]

With little kids the family style buffets are my favorites. Liberty Tree Tavern and Garden Grill have been two of our favorites in the past. 'Ohana is also family style.

 

[disguy1]

we do the chracter dines and love em all
!- crystal palace MK
2-Akershus royal banquet E
3- holllywood n vine MGM
4-liberty tree MK
5- restaurentosaurus AK